Budanov Congratulated The Mysterious Top General Of Ukrainian Intelligence

That single photo spoke volumes.

The head of the President's Office and former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Kirill Budanov posted a birthday greeting for the combat intelligence general. The message includes a photo of the military officer, but his face is obscured and the location is unspecified, according to “Focus”.

The post by the former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) regarding the combat general of Ukrainian intelligence appeared on the morning of September 19. Budanov wrote that he was congratulating a “brother-in-arms, a specialist, and a statesman,” and emphasized that this general’s work is an example of “the highest level of professionalism.” He wished his brother-in-arms good health, strength, victory, and “new successful operations.”

Budanov posted a brief congratulatory message but did not name the intelligence general. However, there is a single photograph that likely shows the man celebrating his birthday on September 19.

In the photo that the former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate used to illustrate his congratulatory message to the general, a burly man is visible wearing what appears to be a military uniform, a cap, dark sunglasses, and a protective bandana covering the lower half of his face. The man has his back to the camera and is holding what appears to be a Kalashnikov assault rifle; it is impossible to make out the birthday boy’s face. Meanwhile, a group of 20 armed men stands in a semicircle facing the possible Ukrainian intelligence officer. We can see that they are dressed in various types of camouflage; on their heads are turbans, scarves, and balaclavas, and in their hands are what appear to be Kalashnikov assault rifles as well: there is no uniform military attire, so they look more like militants, insurgents, or informal armed groups. The terrain and the appearance of the armed men may indicate that the photo was taken in Africa: no other information is available.

Operations of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense—what is known about its activities in Africa

It should be noted that the media have reported on possible GUR operations on the African continent. Specifically, in 2024, intelligence official Andrei Yusov acknowledged that Ukraine had provided some assistance to the Tuaregs, who are fighting the local army and mercenaries from the Wagner Group in Mali. It turned out that the Tuaregs routed a column of “Wagner Group” fighters, and Ukrainian intelligence provided them with information to carry out the special operation successfully. On September 12, 2026, CNN published an investigation into Ukraine’s activities in Africa and reported that there are about 15 drone operators in Mali who are sharing their expertise with a rebel group in northern Mali. Meanwhile, footage has surfaced online showing a Tuareg attack on the camp of the Russian “African Corps,” which had replaced the Wagner Group: drones were flying freely among the tents and military equipment. In April, the media outlet RF1 reported that approximately 200 Ukrainian officers are likely in Libya and have the capability to launch, for example, maritime drones to strike tankers belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet.

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